Every summer, I find myself dreaming up the same thing: where can we go that feels like a true getaway, creates memories we’ll talk about for years, and doesn’t leave everyone needing a vacation from the vacation?
After years of family travel (and plenty of trial and error), I’ve found a handful of destinations that are absolutely worth the trip. Whether you’re looking for theme parks, beaches, mountains, wildlife, charming small towns, or epic road trips, these are some of my favorite summer vacations to consider this year.
Orlando, Florida
If your family hasn’t done Orlando recently, it may be time to put it back on the list.
Our family’s favorite place to stay is the Marriott’s Harbour Lake Villas. It feels more like a resort than a hotel, with spacious villa accommodations, pirate-themed pools, waterslides, mini golf, and plenty of room for everyone to spread out after a long day at the parks.
Of course, Disney and Universal are the main attractions, but one experience that completely exceeded our expectations was Discovery Cove. Swimming with dolphins was one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had as a family. The all-inclusive day includes snorkeling, lazy rivers, beaches, and animal encounters, making it a refreshing break from the theme park crowds.
If you’re driving to Orlando from Tennessee, consider adding a stop at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This unique destination is one of the few places in the country where you can legally swim and snorkel with endangered manatees in their natural habitat. Getting up close with these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults and makes a fantastic addition to an Orlando road trip.
Between the theme parks, resort pools, Discovery Cove, and a manatee encounter along the way, Orlando offers far more than just roller coasters and character meet-and-greets.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
For families looking to trade beach chairs for adventure, Yellowstone delivers one of the most unforgettable summer vacations in America.
Summer is hands-down the best time to visit Yellowstone because the entire park comes to life. All five park entrances and interior roads are open, giving visitors full access to more than 900 miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, and iconic landmarks like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
It’s also peak wildlife season. Summer brings newborn bison calves—often nicknamed “red dogs” because of their orange coloring—as well as bear cubs, elk calves, and other young wildlife. The famous Lamar Valley becomes especially active, offering some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the country.
The park’s geothermal features are equally impressive during the summer months. The warm weather helps the thermophilic bacteria and algae thrive, making attractions like Grand Prismatic Spring glow with vibrant shades of orange, red, yellow, and green that look almost unreal in person.
Beyond sightseeing, summer opens the door to endless outdoor adventures. Families can hike, camp, boat, fish, attend ranger-led programs, and explore Yellowstone’s vast backcountry while enjoying pleasant daytime temperatures that often hover around 80 degrees.
Whether you’re watching Old Faithful erupt, spotting a grizzly bear from a safe distance, marveling at colorful hot springs, or simply taking in the breathtaking mountain scenery, Yellowstone offers the kind of family memories that last a lifetime. It’s one of those rare destinations that truly lives up to the hype.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach remains one of the most popular family beach destinations for good reason.
The wide sandy beaches are perfect for swimming, sandcastle building, and long walks along the shore. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk offers shops, restaurants, arcades, and entertainment that keep families busy long after the sun goes down.
You’ll also find miniature golf courses around nearly every corner, water parks, amusement attractions, and free summer events, including concerts and fireworks. It’s the kind of destination where you can spend your days at the beach and your evenings enjoying family-friendly entertainment without ever running out of things to do.
Coastal Maine
If you’re looking to escape the intense Southern summer heat, coastal Maine is hard to beat.
Summer temperatures are often breezy and comfortable, with highs in the 70s, making it the perfect place to trade scorching afternoons for cool ocean air. The region offers everything you picture in a classic New England vacation: rugged coastlines, charming harbors, fresh seafood, boating adventures, wildlife sightings, and postcard-worthy small towns.
Spend your days exploring charming coastal towns like Bar Harbor, Camden, and Portland, each offering its own mix of local shops, waterfront dining, lobster shacks, and maritime history.
And speaking of food—this is the place to indulge in fresh Maine lobster. Whether you’re enjoying a traditional lobster roll overlooking the harbor or digging into a classic New England seafood feast, the local seafood alone is worth the trip.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss Acadia National Park, where families can hike, bike, kayak, watch for seals and puffins, and drive scenic routes through nearly 50,000 acres of mountains, forests, lakes, and dramatic coastline. One of the highlights is watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the United States to see the sun each morning.
Between the ideal weather, outdoor adventures, wildlife, boating excursions, coastal charm, and unforgettable food, Maine delivers the quintessential summer getaway that feels worlds away from the South.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
While both offer quintessential New England charm, Cape Cod and Coastal Maine have distinctly different feels. The Cape is known for sandy beaches, warmer water, and a relaxed, classic resort vibe. Coastal Maine is far more rugged, defined by dramatic rocky cliffs, pine forests, and much colder, refreshing ocean waters.
Cape Cod often gets a reputation as a luxury destination, but it can absolutely be done as a family-friendly summer vacation.
The area is packed with public beaches, charming coastal towns, seafood shacks, and beautiful scenery. Families can spend days exploring the Cape Cod National Seashore, visiting lighthouses, or biking along scenic trails.
Kids especially love attractions like the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and the classic Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre, one of the last remaining drive-ins in the country.
Whether you’re spending the day building sandcastles, enjoying fresh seafood overlooking the water, or strolling through one of the Cape’s picturesque villages, Cape Cod offers a laid-back summer experience that has been drawing families back year after year.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah offers a completely different type of family vacation and is one of those destinations that feels charming the moment you arrive.
Start your visit at beautiful Forsyth Park, where families can stroll beneath moss-draped oak trees, enjoy the iconic fountain, and soak up the city’s Southern charm. From there, wander through Savannah’s historic squares and picturesque streets lined with centuries-old architecture.
One of our favorite areas is the downtown riverfront district along the Savannah River. The cobblestone streets are filled with restaurants, shops, candy stores, galleries, markets, and live entertainment, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring. Be sure to stop by Savannah’s famous open-air market area and enjoy some people-watching while taking in the river views.
For a unique perspective of the city, hop aboard one of the riverboat cruises and enjoy sightseeing from the water. Golf enthusiasts will also find several beautiful courses nearby if that’s your idea of a perfect vacation day.
Families will love nearby Tybee Island offering the perfect excuse for a day at the beach.
Savannah effortlessly blends history, dining, shopping, outdoor adventures, and family fun into one unforgettable summer getaway.
Sedona, Arizona (With a Vegas & Grand Canyon Detour)
This may be one of the most memorable family trips we’ve ever taken.
Start in Las Vegas for a few days. While Vegas may not seem like a family destination at first, there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions, incredible pools, shows, and restaurants to enjoy. From there, rent a car and begin one of the most scenic road trips in the country.
On your way toward the Grand Canyon, make a stop at Seven Magic Mountains, the colorful art installation rising out of the desert just south of Las Vegas. It’s quirky, fun, and makes for fantastic family photos.
Continue on to the Grand Canyon, where the views truly live up to the hype. Pictures don’t do it justice. Whether you spend a few hours or a couple of days exploring, it’s a stop your kids will remember forever.
After the Grand Canyon, stop at Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon for views you can only believe if you see it for yourself.
Finish your trip in Sedona, where dramatic red rock formations surround the town in every direction. Spend your days hiking, exploring local shops and art galleries, and taking in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Southwest.
And whatever you do, don’t miss a Sedona sunset. Watching the red rocks glow shades of orange, pink, and gold as the sun goes down is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see.
